Damien Martin: Former Australian batsman wakes from coma in ‘miraculous’ recovery.

Gilchrist, the former wicketkeeper-batsman, said Martin’s condition was “so positive” that medical staff were hopeful he would be discharged from the intensive care unit, which showed “what a dramatic recovery there has been and how quickly it has turned around”.

Meningitis is an infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. It can come on suddenly and kill within hours if not treated quickly.

The Gilchrist and Martin family also thanked the staff at Gold Coast University Hospital “who have been nothing short of amazing throughout this difficult time”.

“He will remain in hospital and continue to receive treatment but the transformation has been a miracle.”

The statement continued that Martin was in “good spirits and overwhelmed by support,” and his wife, Amanda, added that the “love, goodwill and care” of his supporters had helped in his recovery.

Martyn, who made his Test debut at the age of 21, played in four Ashes series and during his career scored 4,406 Tests at an average of 46.37.

He won two World Cups with Australia and retired before the third Test of the 2006-07 series.

During the 2003 World Cup final, Martyn – batting with a broken finger – scored an unbeaten 88 as Australia defeated India.

Martyn was also a prolific one-day international batsman, scoring 5,346 runs from 208 matches at an average of 40, with five hundreds and 37 fifties.

He also represented Yorkshire as an overseas player in 2003.